Sponsored post. Winter is almost over meaning it is not too soon to start preparing your garden for the summer. Our gardens can be wonderful places, a secret nook where you can escape from the stresses of work, housework, even the kids if you’re lucky!!! Spring is the time to begin the preparations to turn your garden into a beautiful oasis, somewhere tranquil that provides the perfect escape for you to relax, unwind and enjoy. In this post, we look at preparing your garden for the summer.
Preparing Your Garden for the Summer
Tools
At this stage of garden preparation, we are looking to make sure we have all the tools we need for the jobs we will be doing. The basics include a good pair of gardening gloves, a hand trowel, spade, rake, hoe, pruning shears, garden fork, a hose with adjustable nozzle, and maybe even some loopers if you have overhanging plants. Most gardeners will make sure they put tools away clean. For those that haven’t, now is the time to clean them so they are ready to use.
Tidy the Garden
Once the tools have been prepared it’s time to start tidying up the garden. Collect and dispose of fallen leaves, twigs etc. You’ll be surprised how much can build up over the winter. Part of tidying the garden also includes weeding. There will be plenty of stray seeds that have grown amongst the flower beds and the grass. The best time to start weeding is in the spring. Weeds are plants growing in places you don’t want them to. By removing the weeds you stop them absorbing nutrients that plants you want in your garden would otherwise absorb. Tidying also includes cutting back overgrown bushes. Remove any dead parts to allow for growth in spring and summer. Don’t forget to spring clean bird tables and refill feeders. You can attract a range of birds to your garden all year round and watching them can be very therapeutic.
Preparing the Soil
Before we can start planting we need to prepare the soil by tilling and it is advised we do this once or twice a year. Tilling soil is where you turn the top layer of the soil whilst mixing in fertiliser. It is important not to overdo this as it damages the soil structure. Tilling the soil helps protect against weeds by breaking down the roots. It also loosens compacted soil making planting easier as well as allowing water to pass through better.
Planting
When preparing your garden for the summer you need to think ahead. Consider not just the colours you want to enjoy during the spring and summer but also when the different flowers bloom. Careful planning will result in a variety of flowers all summer long and some that can be enjoyed well into autumn too. Consider a mix of annuals and perennials. This way you know you’ll have some plants automatically growing again next year so won’t need to plant as many each spring.
Preparing Patios, Decking, Seating
The outdoor seating area is important. This area will need to be cleaned, tidied, and weeded. Wooden decking may need to be checked for chips or patches. Small patches may be repainted easily. It is recommended that decking is treated once a year. If the weather is mild and dry you may want to be enjoying the outdoors sooner than official summertime. Uncover garden furniture or take it out from where it’s being stored. Make sure to give it a wipe down and also take out any cushions from storage. Whether you have a 4 Seater Weatherproof Garden Furniture set or something larger it’s important to have adequate seating in your garden.
Don’t forget that you’ll need to have some shade for the summer. An umbrella is an easy option. Alternatively, a pergola that is covered in beautiful blooms in the summer really does make a beautiful and relaxing spot to enjoy.
Lighting
Many of us will have different types of lighting in our garden to make use of over the summer. Garden lights such as spike lights and in-ground lights will need careful cleaning. Many like to use fairy lights. These are great as there are various setting options. they should be removed from storage and displayed as close to summer as possible to reduce the risk of damage during the colder, wetter, windier months.
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Paint the Fence
The cold weather can affect the condition of your fence. It can make a difference to the overall look of your garden when you use a treatment to freshen up your fence. Once treated you can then add climbers and fairy lights. It is a lovely way to add to the appeal of your garden. By summer, the flowers will be in bloom. Their pretty colours and scents can be enjoyed during the day. At night the lights give a gentle mood light, ideal for entertaining.
Rainwater Collection
Don’t forget to put out a container or even a few to collect rainwater. Rainwater is great for watering plants and reduces the amount of tap water we need to use. Therefore it can help reduce our water bill as we have a free source of water for our plants. It is helpful to have a good supply to use when the weather is hot in the summer, especially when there are hosepipe bans. Rainwater also contains nitrogen which is used to fertilise plants which is an added bonus.
What tips would you suggest when Preparing Your Garden for the Summer? Do you do any of the suggestions included in this post?
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Those are great ideas for preparing the garden. I was just looking for a pot so that I don’t overwater and kill my plants.
Aaahhh yes, it’s amazing how easy it is to do that!
I wish I had a garden. Mine is pretty scary. I will sweet off the patio at least but I cannot grow a dang thing.
There are so many things you can do. It doesn’t have to be a high maintenance garden.
Thank for sharing these tips, summer is right around the corner.
It sure is. I can’t wait!!!
I am getting excited for this season! I have big plans for our yard this year, a lot of maintenance.
That sounds great. I bet it will look great over the summer.
We’re hoping to start a vegetable garden this year! We made a flower garden last year and it was beautiful, hopefully everything will regrow this year!
That sounds great. I’d love to have both. Maybe at our next place. Good luck with the vegetable garden.
Hoping that we will have a garden by Summer. Thank you so much for these tips!
I hope you do too, they can make a lovely place to escape too.
Ooh, I’ll prepare the patio now. I forgot summer is approaching fast, good for the plants.
It won’t be long now. I bet your garden will look lovely once ready for summer.
I can’t wait until the day I have a garden of my own. We’ve lived in a flat for 18 years now and I so miss having a garden. Great tips!
It is so nice to have your own garden. I’m looking forward to having one again in a few years. I hope you get to move to a home with a garden or a garden flat soon.
Gardening is one of my most hated jobs, luckily we have a gardener who does all the heavier work and we can just potter about. We do have a water container that collects rain water which helps in the summer momths
The best part is you still get to benefit from the work they’ve done for you. Win win!!!
Whoa, it’s only winter but im already planning to prepare my garden for Summer. It’s all I can think about now
That’s good to hear as sometimes it can take a lot of work.
I like to make a spring inspection and just walk around the garden. Check the beds, plants, and flowers to prepare my garden for summer
That’s good. It can also be a good time to start planting. Enjoy your garden Beth.
Great tips here.
As the calendar approaches spring, it’s time to head to our gardens and prepare for summer’s bounty of blooms and vegetables.
It certainly is and hopefully enjoy ourselves whilst doing so.
I love gardening. I have a garden too and I was so concerned about this for the upcoming summer. Thanks for sharing the post.
I’m so pleased you found it helpful Abida. Thanks for visiting.
I really enjoy reading this post, summer is on the way I will also start preparing my garden for summer! Thanks for sharing this!
Honestly, it does come around quickly so it helps to be prepared.
These are all terrific tips to prepare your garden for spring/summer. It creeps up on us quicker than we realize.
It certainly does. It’s important o be prepared. You can also feel a great sense of achievement when you get to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
We have a small raised garden. My husband and I really hope we have better luck with it this summer.
These are great tips and perfect timing as we head into spring. I have collected rainwater, but I’ll start this year!
I don’t have a garden but I will keep these in mind when I have and get it ready. Thank you for sharing!
Love this so much! A garden is much more than just planting plants but also the deck and furniture you set around it!
That’s very true. It can be the perfect place to relax and unwind once it’s set up.
You should have a steady flow of water in plan and mind! Without it, the summer promises to be hotter than it was last year.
I need these tips! It’s very difficult to grow plants in summer, especially here in the Middle East. Thanks for sharing!
It’s time to get ready for summer! I don’t have a big garden but I love to have many plants and flowers during summer!
I don’t blame you. even the smallest garden can look beautiful when you’ve prepared it well.
I love my garden and I can’t wait for summer to come, so I can spend my time there 🤗 It’s so peaceful.
I have a flower garden and I start cleaning in the spring. I think collecting rainwater is a great idea. Will look more into it.
I’m chomping at the bit to start my garden, but we’ve had nothing but ice for 2 weeks here in Missouri. I hope this is our last round of winter weather so I can get some lettuce in soon!
What a lovely garden you got there!!! I bet you could do all sorts of fun activities especially during the summer! Just have to make sure that the plants don’t dry out!
I haven’t gotten the chance to mess around with my backyard and I would love to have my very own garden with herbs and flowers. Thanks for this informative post.
It can be so lovely to grow your own produce.
This is a good reminder for me to tidy up our pocket garden and prepare my babies for the summer.
This is something I need to do once it starts warming up. We seem to be busier in the fall and it can be tough to get everything done. The spring usually involves a lot of cleanup!
My garden is in an absolute state, we did the best we could last year but with a wedding to pay for it’s not our priority at the moment. Although we do need to replace a few fence panels asap after the storm x
I do wish to have a house with a garden one day. I’d love to be thinking preparing it to summer right now
I honestly do not think In terms of garden seasons. I try to keep my garden usable all year around.
I have a balcony and I’m preparing that for the summer too. Laid down some astroturf and bought some dwarf fruit trees. Now just waiting for the weather to perk up to enjoy it
Oh wow, that sounds great. It’s going to look gorgeous x
I would love an egg chair they look so comfortable now we just need the sun
Those do look super comfy. I’d love one too!!!
Oh the memories ! Rule number one is have good soil . If I had a garden with clay I would give up and go away .
Good soil does make a big difference.
Love the egg chairs they look so good – really want one for my garden!
My biggest job is always having to clean and seal the patio as it is north facing and goes very green over winter
I love gardening, can’t wait to be able to get back out there.
Some very good advice. I love my garden and like to get it looking nice ready for the summer to be able to sit out and get lots of vitamin D!!
Thank you so much for a great article, you’ve covered all the points so well. I need to tidy mine and make room for new furniture.
That sounds like you’ll be busy for a while. Have fun.
I really like this tips. I can’t wait to redecorate my garden. Thank you for the post.
It can be fun to do and you reap the rewards!!!
Thank you for the tips, very excited to get back into my garden this summer
It is so lovely isn’t it. It really can become a relaxing place to enjoy.
oh your garden looks lovely , i need to find time to get mine done
I wish my garden was beautiful like this
These tips are great, I cannot wait to spend summer in my garden this year
Some great advice here. Makes me realise I’m woefully behind in prepping my own garden! Time to dig out my tools and give them a clean…
Our garden is such a mess at the moment, but I’m excited to get out there when the weather is better! Definitely important about rainwater collection. We also put guttering on our shed, so the rain drains into a water butt 🙂
Good to get some tips for the garden. I’m not a natural gardener, but I love gardens so always looking for inspiration.
Great ideas. I cannot wait to get all the fairy lights back out in the garden ready for long summer evenings.
I know what you mean. Have fun preparing your garden.
Some good tips i really wish I had a nicer and bigger garden especially for my children
Me too, it is lovely to have a large area for them to play.
Some great ideas and tips makes me want to get out in the grades .
With the weather improving more of us are getting outside much more. It helps to prepare your garden in advance.
I can’t wait for my garden to be ready for the summer! Got a lot of sorting to do to get it there though!
I hope you can get it all done in time.
We moved house in autumn last year so we’re just starting to sort the garden, it’s an odd shaped garden and most is on an incline so there’s been some head scratching going on. You have given us some ideas especially with regard to the smaller sections.
It’s amazing what you can do even with an odd shaped garden.